Eco-Friendly Metal Stair Nosing Choices

With sustainability gaining traction as a guiding principle in contemporary construction, architects, builders, and homeowners are reconsidering all aspects of building design from lighting systems to flooring materials. Even something as seemingly minor as anti-slip Stair Nosing is being investigated for its ecological implications. Once strictly viewed as a functional element, stair nosing is now being recognized as a determiner for sustainable and enduring building design.

Of the several options available, metal stair nosing is often amongst the more sustainable and longer-lasting options. When sourced, manufactured, and installed responsibly, metal stair nosing not only contributes to safety and longevity but also supports the goals of energy conservation and waste reduction as well.

Why Metal Stair Nosing Is a Sustainable Alternative to PVC or Synthetic Rubber

Metal stair nosing has multiple environmental advantages over other types of nosing products, such as PVC or synthetic rubber products, particularly when they are designed with sustainability in mind. In this regard, metal stair nosing can reduce resource consumption and maintenance costs associated with replacement.

Durability Offers Less Waste

Durability, associated with longevity, is one of the pillars of sustainability. Durable items create less waste and the need for replacements. Aluminum, stainless steel, and brass are all materials known for their durability and abrasiveness. Installing high-quality metal nosing in a location will last for many years versus a single installation of low-quality, less durable nosing that requires replacement frequently, or worse, a series of replacement products to achieve the same durability or longevity.

Recyclability and the Carbon-Neutrality of Metals

Metals are some of the easiest products to recycle on the planet. Aluminum can be recycled infinitely without loss of quality or strength. Furthermore, creating recycled aluminum uses 95% less energy than new aluminum from ore. Steel and brass materials are also recycled. Coal and plastic products have recycling processes; however, those recycling processes generally use more energy and resources than traditional metals.

Selecting Metal Stair Nosing made from metal stamped out of recycled material, or that can be recycled when it's at the end of life, has implications for minimizing landfill contributions to the circular economy, as well as conserving natural resources in our products.

Long-lasting and Energy-efficient

When we think about eco-design, we think about designing a product or product life cycle used in a way that has minimal maintenance and energy consumption over the lifetime of the product. Metal stair nosing fits this bill. Metal stair nosing resists corrosion, scratches, and moisture, which reduces the use of coatings, paints, or chemical cleaning agents that carry environmental impacts.

Due to the reduced maintenance we can obtain from metal nosing, this reduces the lifetime environmental impact and cost when compared to synthetic nosings.

Eco-friendly Metal Stair Nosing

Each type of metal presents a unique combination of sustainability and strength while allowing design flexibility. The more you know about each type of metal, the better you can utilize the right metal for your space and your sustainability goals.

• Aluminum Stair Nosing: Aluminum is a commonly chosen stair nosing material since it is lightweight, corrosion resistant, and very recyclable. Most aluminum stair nosing products today contain a high percentage of post-consumer recycled content. Aluminum is especially good for outdoor or humid environments because it does not rust and can withstand temperature fluctuations very well.

• Stainless Steel Stair Nosing: Stainless steel is valued for its strength, modern look, and resistance to corrosion. It has a great track record of supporting high-traffic or industrial settings due to the demand for longevity and cleanliness. While the production of stainless steel uses more energy at the beginning, its lifetime performance and 100% recyclability make it a long-term sustainable option.

• Brass Stair Nosing: Brass is a truly unique option with durability, corrosion resistance, and everlasting aesthetics. Brass is composed primarily of recyclable metals such as copper and zinc. Brass is designed for architectural applications where longevity and corrosion resistance are needed while providing beauty.

• Composite metal option: Many manufacturers offer composite metal, or composite stair nosing, where recycled metals are combined with eco-friendly resins or rubber. These designs often utilize upcycled post-consumer or industrial materials, demonstrating an ecological perspective on reducing waste.

Composite options are great for creating anti-slip features without the use of special adhesives or coatings.